Bigger or Smaller 2nd Baby

Mommalawyer · December 2014

Alright, this may be a stupid f%#k question, but pregnancy insomnia has set in, the OCD nesting has started to creep in, I just spent $800 at babies-r-us and have shell shock and I have been inventorying clothing for this baby boy- Im probably legally insane at this point. So forgive me. Here is my question, so DD comes from another guy. She was 7 pounds 3 ounces. It was a rough, rough delivery, size wise. Without throwing weight and pant sizes out there, let me just say that I am pretty darn small, not pregnant. DH has two boys with his ex-wife. They were both over 9 pounds. This scares the living shit out of me. Now, his ex-wife is, significantly bigger than me. His ex-wife's side of the family have 9-10 pound babies normally. DH side of the family (his brother and his sister) have babies in the 7-8 pound range. My side has the 6-7 pound range. Do you get where I am going with this? I could have sworn that I had read something about the mother being the "factor" in initial newborn size, but I am also sleep deprived delusional. Is there any science to help calm my fears of not having a baby that is 9 pounds or more? Or do I just scrap the few "newborn" size items I have and go straight to 0-3 months.

xo - Hormonally and Sleep Deprived Insane F15'er

Nvywife · December 2014

Just breath. the baby is going to be the size he is going to be. This can not be changed. I planned for a 9 lb baby last time (DH side has large babies and doctors guessed large), and DS was a whopping 7( still biggest baby born to my side of the family). It's not something you can plan. And doctors can only guess. Try not to worry.

crabigator · December 2014

Hi labor buddy!

Sorry you're going through a freaked out time. We all go through those and I know it can feel terrible to have these concerns driving you mad.

I have no idea about what factors may go into a baby's size (or more accurately, which ones are most salient), but I would agree with @Nvywife‌ that there's not much you can do about it now, so you might as well try to turn your worries off or towards something else. Easier said than done, I know, but... the baby is just going to be the size he is.

I'd probably buy clothes in multiple sizes and keep the tags on them -- once you know what works best, you (or a helpful family member!) can always return them to the store postpartum.

Hope this helps! xoxo

Jensoprano82 · December 2014

I've also heard it takes after the birth weight of the mother, but every baby is different. That said, I have very few Nb outfits because DH and I are both tall and not teeny. I hope you can find some zen and relax a little. We'll all be ok!!!

Mommalawyer · December 2014

Im a lawyer, I play out every possible scenario in my head 19,000 with any given situation. It's a curse I tell you! And you're all right, there isn't a darn thing I can do about it. Im just curious at to what if any other people's experiences have been. I've also read that the second baby is usually bigger and the labor is usually much easier too. Thankfully I think I only have 3 newborn onsies.

Breathe.

Dannylion24 · December 2014

My first babe was 8.6 and she still wore newborn outfits for a couple weeks ... Second was 7.3 and third was 7.7. My mil had two children over 10 lbs at birth (& my SIL's first was 10.4), but my side is more in the 7-8 lb range so I had no idea what to expect! I'll also add that my heaviest baby was born when I was by far my most petite self.

I'm sure none of that info is particularly helpful, lol. Just wanted to answer your question and wish you well! You could always buy a couple extra newborn things and leave the tags on. Best wishes for a safe delivery!!

mamabisme · December 2014

My second baby was significantly smaller than my first. DD1 was 8lb 2.7oz and 21.5". DD2 was 7lb even and 19". Both were born past my due date but DD2 was further past (by 2 days). Babies on my side tend to be in the high 6 # range and DH's tend to be in the low 7 #s. Not sure what happened with DD1. It's a little odd that she was larger because she's a small girl now (at almost 5).

bhjones1980 · December 2014

I was worried with DS since DH was a huge baby (almost 10 lbs), but my doc told me babies size tends to be more dependent on the Mom which proved to be true when he was born at 6lbs 11oz at full term (1 day past EDD).

I was 7lbs even at birth and my older sister was 6lbs 10 oz.

MissEm15 · December 2014

My doc mentioned it's typically an average of you & DHs birth weights.

SaraL1175 · December 2014

I have the lawyer curse also (damn that Socratic method! We are broken now....). I was born 7.5 and my DH was 8.2. (His brothers were 9 and 10 lbs). My first came in at a nice 8 lb 13.5 oz. Everyone told me the next one would be bigger...

Since, my term/living babies have weighed in at 7.2, 6.12, and 7.12. I have eaten and moved the same for every pregnancy, and gained the same amount of weight (roughly) as well. Hilariously, with DS2, I was trying for vbac (successful) and the whole labor, nurses and residents kept dashing in and grilling me "do you think this baby is bigger than your first...!?!?" I laughed in their faces. There's a big difference in how much lung space a 7 Lb baby grabs, as opposed to a nearly 9 lb baby.

Every child has their own DNA and their own growth pattern. Your baby might be bigger than your first.... But then again, it might not.

krysmill · December 2014

Hmmm if they base it off the mother's weight my baby will be small. I only weighed 4lbs 6ounces! Only came 2 weeks early. I just think your gunna have what your gunna have.

ixoshortyoxi · December 2014

My first was 10lb 6oz and 21.5 inches long. Trying to plan clothes for baby number is a nightmare! I keep planning for a big baby again.

lizzybean · December 2014

I was almost 9 lbs. DH was around 8 I think. My first was 6 even at 39 weeks! I really don't think you can plan for these things. Try to take it easy!

Mommalawyer · December 2014

DH bro is a Pediatric PA and says that there's no scientific anything to predict baby size. He said to not even rely on ultrasounds to determine size either. Sooooooooo, there's no way to predict or prepare.

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